CIt will be a Nice Christmas gift for football fans in the Bordeaux region who are missing a high level. The draw for the 32nd finals of the Coupe de France, this Monday evening at the Parc des Princes, offered the prospect of a great weekend in the Metropolis, on December 20, 21 and 22. The distribution by group of teams, revealed in the afternoon, left the prospect for the two survivors of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine League to meet Paris SG, title holder and ogre still desired.
It was a failure but two professional teams will come to challenge them: Laval, 8th in Ligue 2, will travel to the Robert-Brettes stadium and its 3,300-seat stand at SA Mérignac (Regional 1), among the little thumbs at this stage, when Rennes, 12th in Ligue 1, will find Matmut Atlantique and the Girondins (National 2).
After the slight disappointment of not having drawn an elite team – Brest, Lens, Angers and Le Havre were also in the hat – the Mérignacais, reunited, quickly got back on track. With the desire to measure themselves against Laval, a surprise L2 team last season (7th). Although it no longer has the same solidity, Olivier Frapolli's team scores more and has had another solid start to the season (5 wins, 4 draws, 5 defeats). But it suffered in the Cup, eliminating AS Vitré (N3) then Concarneau (N1) on penalties, held to a 0-0 draw in Brittany then 2-2 at home.
“It will be a great challenge. We have a playful team. The advantage is that we have images of the team and that we will be able to better analyze the opponent. We will be overmotivated. And if we have more, it will be the magic of the Coupe de France,” says coach Clément Tapy.
Irles' apprehension
His Girondins counterpart Bruno Irles did not follow the draw live. The former Monaco defender has already experienced this type of meeting with two of his previous clubs then playing in N1 (Bordeaux 3-2 and Paris SG 0-2 with Pau in 2019-2020; Monaco 1-3 with QRM in 2021-2022). On the one hand, “I am happy for those who love football in the Bordeaux region,” he admits. On the other hand, “I always have this apprehension with the Coupe de France, the possible injuries, suspensions, tensions. This match must serve us but there is an important emotional, media aspect and my role is to remind the players, the club, the supporters, that the championship is more important. »
He should “repeat” it to his men today, focusing on the matches against Saint-Brieuc on Saturday and at La Roche-sur-Yon on December 14 “which will impact our season” in the race for promotion and which… They will also prepare to meet L1 teams (Le Havre and Brest respectively).
At Matmut Atlantique this time
In the offices, we will rejoice with the prospect of a (very) large crowd after having given up playing the 8th round against Herbiers (2-0) at Matmut Atlantique to avoid a financial loss. If the Girondins have become accustomed to encountering L1 teams at this stage since the start of their fall (Nice 2-3 last season and… Rennes 1-2 two years ago), this time they started from much further with five rounds already contested. The only survivors from last January are the physiotherapist and the doctor, and few of the squad are those who have encountered L1 teams on the pitch.
With Mandanda, Gronbaeck, Jota, Kalimuendo, Gouiri and Blas, Stade Rennais has no shortage of assets. But after a failed start to the season (4 wins, 2 draws, 7 losses), the 6th L1 budget attracted former Argentinian coach and (in particular) coach of Sevilla FC and OM Jorge Sampaoli to its bench. “There is individual quality, a psychological shock as we saw last weekend (5-0 against Saint-Etienne)”, notes Bruno Irles who “will analyze to put those who will play in the best conditions” but rather keep in mind the “7 hours” spent deciphering Saint-Brieuc. With the hope that his men and the “loyal supporters” will do the same.
